IFA Pigs Committee protest held in Athlone this morning

Pig farmers have targeted four locations across the country this morning including Carty Meats in Athlone to seek commitments from processors for price increases.

The IFA Pigs Committee has stepped up its campaign to ensure that the price paid for pigs reaches €2 per kg by June 1.

Protests have been in place since 6am and farmers are protesting at Kerry Foods in Shillelagh, Co Wicklow, Oakpark Foods in Cahir, Co Tipperary and Connollys Pork and Bacon in Monaghan.

IFA Pig Chairman Roy Gallie said farmers are at breaking point.

"It’s now or never for them. We are losing €55 per pig sold and this has been the case for far too long. We need the pig farmers to survive to fill the supermarket shelves.”